Senior Quality Engineer – Job Description

(Job Code and Level: QOPS004.1)

Definition:

Ensures incoming parts from supply chain companies and internally produced
components/vehicles meet the quality standards and systems required.

Overall Purpose of the Role:

Responsible for ensuring that the products produced meet quality standards
required to minimise quality costs and maximise customer satisfaction whilst
ensuring that procedures and processes are adhered to. Ensure incoming
materials meet required quality standards. Responsible for identifying and
raising quality issues and for speedily resolving them to ensure zero impact to
the customer. Support new product introductions to ensure the robustness of
product builds. Work in a team environment to develop and implement best
practices that emphasise defect prevention, reduction in variation and waste
and provide for continuous improvements in meeting all customer
requirements. Manage the customer specific requirements and offer technical
support. Responsible for multiple highly complex major projects requiring
innovative original solutions where results are key to successful completion of
major projects. Work mostly independently with minimal supervision and work
is reviewed at project milestones and/or on completion by Senior
Management.

Key Responsibilities:

General and Task Management

 Manage all quality-related issues within the manufacturing team (e.g.
internal, supplier, customer and customer warranty)
 Identify root cause and instigate permanent corrective actions for product
quality issues
 Work with internal and external stakeholders to resolve quality issues that
arise as quickly and efficiently as possible to prevent compromising quality
and safety standards
 Carry out product and process auditing
 Ensure control plans and associated documentation are implemented
effectively and maintained
 Monitor and report on quality-related key performance indicators including
scrap monitoring, rework levels, parts per million (PPM) figures
 Stop production in the event of manufacture of unacceptable
goods/processes
 Ensure compliance and assist with adherence to the Quality Management
system (TS16949/ISO9001)
 Write product test procedures
 Undertake special projects as required
 Assist with training of quality awareness
 Report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in order to adhere to
process and prevent occurrence of any non-conformity relating to product,
process or system
 Assist with first off sample approvals
 Promote the use of customer preferred techniques for continuous
improvement such as Six-Sigma, Poka-Yoke (Error Proofing), and
Measurement System Analysis
 Participate in cross-functional teams in the development of new products
or changes related to current products in meeting customer requirements
 Participate in the development and refinement of Design and Process
FMEA’s (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)
 Manage the Supplier Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
 Manage and coordinate customer PPM (Parts per Million), supplier PPM,
supplier problem solving on time, cost recovery and supplier warranty
indicators
 Lead quality audits
 Keep up with current and developing manufacturing and engineering
trends that concern product quality
 Undertake special projects as required
 Contribute to continuous improvement activities
 Quality control of work by appropriate reviews
 Support and lead process improvement activities
 Write reports and present progress at project meetings and to clients
 Achieve goals within budget
 Conduct benchmarking studies to determine best practices/designs and
future trends
 Plan projects or subtasks so they may be tracked and presented
 Attend various meetings and action/communicate instructions
 Produce written reports and make presentations
 Undertake continuous training and development
 Perform root cause analysis and resolve problems
 Independently determine approach and assigned tasks

People Management
 Lead and/or support groups of technicians and engineers
 Provide guidance to other team members
 Train both team and broader organisation members

Relationship Management
 Support regular inspection meetings with representatives from appropriate
departments to establish an action plan for improving build quality
 Communicate efficiently throughout the shop floor and with own and
customer’s management
 Liaise and communicate with other departments, customers, suppliers and
other service providers

Self Management
 Comply with the Health, Safety and Environmental Policies
 Assertive, resilient and welcomes change
 Engages interest and participation of others and has a collaborative
approach to working with others
 Proactively contributes to the team
 Is self aware
 Is resilient, optimistic and open to change
 Shows moral courage, openness and honesty in all dealings

Skills & Attributes:

 Exercise substantial initiative/judgement in work methods and interpreting

goals
 Work independently and is reviewed infrequently with minimal supervision
 Self-supervising within the guidance and expectations of divisional
management
 Knowledge of quality systems and measurement
 Strong knowledge of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP),
Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effect
Analysis (FMEA)
 Lean Manufacturing knowledge
 Knowledge of TS16949 and ISO9000
 Understanding of ISO14001 and Health and Safety practices
 Understanding of engineering drawings and manufacturing processes
 Ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment
 Planning and prioritising activities
 Good communication and interpersonal skills
 Negotiation skills
 Ability to present data effectively
 Problem-solving skills
 Team working skills
 Analytical skills
 Understanding of cost and financial impacts

Qualifications and Experience Levels:

 Relevant business/commercial or manufacturing/engineering degree

preferred, or ONC, A Levels, BTec Diploma Level 4 or equivalent NVQ
level 4 qualification
 Membership of an industry related Professional Body would be
advantageous
 Previous experience in a high volume manufacturing environment,
preferably automotive
 Experience of working in Quality Assurance
 Six Sigma/Lean Manufacturing skills
 Experience of dealing with customers and suppliers

Example roles this job description may cover:

 Senior Quality Assurance Engineer

